Maple Leafs sign Miroslav Holinka to entry-level contract

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced on Tuesday that the team has agreed to terms on a three-year, entry-level contract with forward Miroslav Holinka.

According to PuckPedia, the deal carries an average annual value of $918,333 at the NHL level with an annual salary of $85,000 at the AHL level.

Holinka will receive annual signing bonuses of $75,000, $80,000 and $75,000 in each year of the deal.

Holinka, a six-foot-two, 202-pound center, was the team’s fifth round selection at No. 151 overall in the 2024 NHL entry draft.

Despite being a fifth round pick, Holinka was the team’s third selection of the draft after first-round choice Ben Danford and fourth-rounder Victor Johansson.

After playing two seasons in the professional league of his native Czechia, Holinka appeared in 47 regular season games with the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League this past season.

Holinka produced well in his first season in North America, putting up 19 goals and 26 assists for a total of 45 points.

In 2023-2024, Holinka appeared in 16 games for Trinec Ocular HC, scoring a goal and adding two assists for three points.

Holinka seems likely to provide forward depth to a Toronto Marlies team that finished with a record of 37-23-4-8 this past year before bowing out in the first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs.

Toronto’s other non-roster forwards who will look to compete for roster spots at NHL training camp but will likely see time with the Marlies include prospect Easton Cowan, NHL veterans Travis Boyd and Vinni Lettieri and other young contributors like Jacob Quillan, Luke Haymes, Borya Valis and Ryan Tverberg.

The Marlies will need to rely on a new group to produce offense next season, as two of last year’s top point producers have already signed new contracts with other organizations in Alex Steeves and Nick Abruzzesse.